14 Psychological Operations Battalion
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
A gold colored base metal and enamel insignia 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a gold sun radiating fourteen tongues of flame and bearing two black diamonds conjoined, surmounted by a white diamond, those areas overlapping the black counterchanged gray; all in front of a red disc 1 inch (2.54cm) in diameter.
Symbolism
The sun, emitting rays of light or information in the form of tongues of fire, stands for the propaganda mission of the Battalion. The flames are fourteen in number in reference to the unit?s numerical designation. The black and white diamonds represent the hard core of facts held by the Battalion. The two diamonds in the background allude to the participation of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the Battalion in two campaigns during World War II. The colors black, white and gray denote the three "degrees" of propaganda used by Psychological Operations units. The red background refers to warfare.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was authorized on 15 Jun 1966.
Coat Of Arms
Blazon
Shield
Vert, two swords saltirewise Argent (Silver Gray), blades as lightning flashes points to chief surmounted by a sun Or, radiant of fourteen Gules, fimbriated Yellow, charged with two fusils Sable, surmounted by a fusil per saltire Argent and of the second.
Crest
That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Argent and Vert, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the common in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Motto
VINCERE PERSUADENTES.
Symbolism
Shield
Bottle green and silver gray are the colors associated with Psychological Operations units. The two swords with lightning flashes as blades indicate the unit?s two campaign credits for World War II, Rhineland and Ardennes-Alsace. The rays of the sun are fourteen, alluding to the organization?s designation, and indicate the propaganda function of the unit. The fusils are black and white with gray at the overlap and represent the three degrees of propaganda: truth, falsehood, and areas in between. The red tongues of fire from the sun symbolize the need for Psychological Operations activities during conflict and allude to the battalion?s Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded for action in the Pacific theater, 1968-1970.
Crest
The crest is that of the U. S. Army Reserve.
Background
The coat of arms was originally authorized 26 Dec 1996. It was amended on 30 Jan 1997 to change the motto.